♪ >> Because it's not about equal opportunity.

It's about equal outcomes, which is impossible.

The legislative session wraps up in Frankfort.

But the new laws on the books.

>> Absolutely makes no sense.

I challenge you to find in eastern Kentucky.

It thinks that the EPA hasn't done enough to regulate anything in eastern Kentucky.

>> Where the disagreement over whether a water bill is good news or bad news for Kentucky.

>> Kentucky's playing defense better now.

Then it did during the 2 wins over Tennessee.

>> And who has the edge as the cats and balls go head to head and the sweet 16.

>> Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part, but the KET Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ Good evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION for this Friday March.

The 28, I'm Renee Shaw joining you from our KET bureau.

>> And the Capitol Annex in Frankfort.

We're here for the last day of the 2025.

Kentucky General Assembly Session and we thank you so much for joining us tonight.

So let's get to the news.

We look back at some of the final action on this last day of the 2025 session as we begin tonight's Legislative update, House Bill 4, which gets rid of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts on public college campuses will become law.

The Republican super majority in the state House overrode the governor's veto last evening.

Our June last year tells us what the new law means for the state higher ed institutions.

>> Dei was already threatened before the 2025 legislative session.

Lawmakers Criticize Dei last year and the University of Kentuckyian northern Kentucky University cut their dei offices.

But the University of Louisville held out keeping mentorships and scholarships in place for students like Bradley Price.

>> I'm a with reporters, scholar and the Martin Luther King scholar.

And I'm very concerned about already underfunded programs becoming more underfunded for price.

You bells, cultural and equity center is not just some administrative building.

>> She loves the people who work there.

I always go there.

I'm always talking to miss Leandre Miss Mary And they really have helped in toward me throughout my college experience and made me feel safe on campus.

The fate of that office is in jeopardy now that House Bill 4 is law.

It prohibits hiring admissions scholarships in contracts based on religion race.

6.

>> Color or national origin.

It also bans funding for dei offices, trainings or initiatives among other things, Republicans who voted to pass House Bill 4 in the final days of the session, say this law will make things fair.

>> We're seeing the results of equity across our institutions and hiring practices throughout the United States and a lowering of standards because it's not about equal opportunity.

It's about equal outcomes, which is impossible because we all come from so many different backgrounds with different skill sets.

We can never have equal outcomes of anything.

So this equities that we talk about is all about lowering the standard.

>> Our greatest divide as a commonwealth.

And as a nation, it is not based in race but is rural and urban.

I'm voting no today because dei on our college campuses is not helping poor kids in Kentucky who are seeking to further their educational goals.

Regardless of their immutable characteristics.

>> This legislation is only a message.

To those who are unwilling.

We're unable to love others deep enough.

To allow them to seek their own way.

level of success.

>> Democrats pushed back even at the end against those claims.

>> It does not equip students with the tools to compete.

In an increasingly diverse world.

Instead it.

It eliminates resources.

It helps institutions foster an inclusive.

>> Learning environment.

It sends a message that diversity is not a strength.

>> And so since we passed this legislation out of this body, I've had students coming to me crying students of color saying that they feel unsafe, saying that they feel like this legislation means that they are not welcome confused about what it means for their education, approved the resources that support them.

And they're scared.

>> What will the question that I would ask?

Is what would America be?

Without its enslaved Africans?

Think about the things that we take for granted the Internet.

Cell phones, all the technology and all the things that out of the ingenuity of the people that I my ancestors created from nothing.

And figured out how to do it after being MS educated and mistreated in this country.

>> The General Assembly passed House Bill 4 overriding the governor's veto largely along party lines.

The overhaul that will likely happen on college campuses could prevent discrimination lawsuits.

The bill sponsor has said citing the U.S. Supreme Court's decision against affirmative action at colleges.

Changes might also preempt investigations from the Trump administration which recently targeted UK's involvement in the PhD project.

In that case, UK swiftly cut ties with the nonprofit that encourages underrepresented students to obtain advanced business degrees.

To fall in line at the state level, universities will have to prove to the state auditor their compliance with House Bill 4 by the end of June for Kentucky edition.

I'm Jeanne Leffler.

>> Thank you.

Jen universities will also conduct surveys in the fall asking students and staff how they how free they sealed to express their political opinions.

It started out as a bill about freestanding, birth centers with bipartisan support.

But with the added amendment regarding abortion exceptions Democrats largely pulled their support in the waning days of the session.

House Bill 19 drew intense debate are McKenzie.

Spain has more on last night's veto override of House Bill 9 D. >> According to the bill's language House Bill, 90 clarifies the difference between illegal abortions and medically necessary interventions.

A clarification supporters say is necessary in light of the state's near total abortion ban to legally cleared the way for physicians to save lives.

However, Democrats from both chambers say this law will muddy the waters.

Not clear them.

Representative Sara Stalker sees this measure as a larger political effort to change abortion laws nationally.

>> We are witnessing a calculated attack on women's health disguised as legislative clarity.

We know that the anti-abortion playbook is to redefine medical terms and to manipulate language and to erode women's fundamental rights slowly.

This is not just about Kentucky.

It's a national battle in every state that codifies this language.

Every state that accepts this live brings us closer to a national ban on life saving abortions.

>> However, not every Democrat opposed the bill.

The Floyd County Representative Ashley Tackett Lafferty agrees with her colleagues across the aisle that the clarifying language will save lives.

>> I strongly feel we should unequivocally be protecting the life of the mother in these situations.

While very legitimate concerns have been raised by both knowledgeable and compassionate people.

I do genuinely feel that this legislation will help to save lives.

>> On Monday's Kentucky tonight, tomorrow we'd are from Planned Parenthood and the abortion or of Kentucky right to life discussed the specific legal language causing much of the debate around House Bill 9 D. >> The doctors, the same doctors are telling you now that this isn't going to work and actually the legal changes on how that they can defend themselves in court are going to make it harder and chill them and you're not listening to what we get is because one of the most important things we did here was to make sure.

>> Reasonable medical was included in that exit objective in his exact actually.

What makes it worse for them?

Reasonable medical judgment means the range of conclusions are medical recommendations that a licensed medical practitioner with similar sufficient training and experience may communicate to the patient upon current available medical evidence.

This is subjective and no longer subjective.

And that was a problem before in past law attorneys that we work with have said that this is going to take away the power of the providers in emergency situations and put it in the hands of judges.

>> Then we have seen it play across the country and specifically in Texas providers are not able to defend their choices for abortion care bar fight for their patients in the courts.

>> Another point of contention around the spill is the endorsement or lack thereof from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also known as a Hawk.

The advocacy chair of the Kentucky chapter of a cog Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg works closely with lawmakers on this bill.

However, the Kong Organization opposes the bill and opponents claim it doesn't have enough input from Kentucky.

Doctors, supporters of the bill feel confident about the medical input received on the measure.

These were articulated by >> Cobb and a dog argan ecologists and gynecologists are doctors.

So doctors provided tremendous input in the House Bill.

90.

Grateful for the work that we've done.

We've been questioned as a majority party.

What is our position on the life of the mother?

It is so clearly articulated.

We should be very proud of this wonderful legislation.

>> Now, state law, the sections of House Bill 9 deep pertaining to abortion exceptions take effect immediately for Kentucky edition.

I'm McKenzie spank.

>> Thank you, McKenzie.

And another topic.

Environmental groups are blasting a measure that they say will harm citizens who get their drinking water from wells worsen.

Flooding risks and increase water costs for everyone.

Senate Bill 89 which rolls back protections for Kentucky's navigable waterways by aligning state regs with federal ones will become law.

Coal companies tap.

The measure has really from burdensome state rules that can hamper industry and home construction.

Most Democrats side with the state cabinet and environmental groups who claim current protections are working for nearly a 3rd of Kentuckians who rely on well, water while Republicans maintain a rules change is long overdue.

>> But a lot of us downstream.

Who have public water systems that are filtered and treated will be OK because we have mechanisms in place in those water treatment centers to take care of that pollution.

That is going to be added upstream and it'll be taken care of by those treatment centers.

But it's going to cost more because we're gonna have to treat those waters.

We're going to have to add more chemicals because there's going to be more pollution before we can push it back out to safely drink it in our homes.

It absolutely makes no sense.

>> I challenge you to find an eastern Kentuckyian that thanks that the EPA hasn't done enough to regulate anything in eastern Kentucky.

I made my baby in water that comes the mine in Fleming neon Kentucky.

If I thought for a second that we were going to compromise the water systems of eastern Kentucky.

I would be voting no, but that's not what this bill does.

I'm ashamed these environmental groups and they're lying and fear tactics.

I don't blame the people at all for what they're hearing.

And I'm sure that I'd be scared about.

We're told all these lies that have been told.

But the truth of the matter is, you're waters are protected.

Your waters are protected.

Felt if you look at the definition of navigable waters.

It includes virtually everything but ditches and mud put us of puddles.

So if you want to find some people who think that we need to take it easy on the regulations go to eastern Kentucky where we are suffering from the lack of jobs from federal overreach and tell me that federal overreach doesn't go far enough.

>> The House and Senate voted to override the governor's veto of Senate Bill 89 last night and it will now become law.

While state lawmakers have been busy reversing the governor's rejection of almost 2 dozen bills this week.

Governor Andy Beshear used to spend, though, to endorse a number of bills that includes the Senate's top priority Bills.

Senate Bill, one, the bill establishes the Kentucky film Office that will help entice filmmakers to the state and to promote growth of the Kentucky's film industry.

A bill regulating cannabis infused drinks is now also law in Kentucky.

Senate bill 2 of 2 sets limits on intoxicating ingredients and directs the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control ABC to regulate the growing industry of have infused beverages.

The law also temporarily extend certain sales permissions while the regulatory framework is finalized and House Bill 2 away was also signed into law this week.

It requires school districts to adopt a policy for cell phone use during instructional time in the classroom.

The bill also mandates schools must use an Internet firewall to block social media on school devices.

Supporters see the bill as a positive step towards increasing student learning and decreasing bullying and school.

The League of Women Voters of Kentucky held one final rally on the last day of the session today to advocate for legislative transparency, which they say the lack thereof has kept Kentuckians from fully participating in the Democratic process.

>> And to celebrate civic engagement, I'm here because too often than not Kentucky's legislative session is anything but open and accessible to the people it serves, especially its students.

>> For years, members of our team have but it's high time.

We put the and possible for us to us.

And those are posted us.

And that's giving us a little time to prepare.

And students from across the state we even get into an altercation.

The public.

>> Conservation.

The record means these 2 corrections.

>> A 24 hour freeze for the record.

The one which ♪ in turn for the upcoming session.

And we're talking.

>> And what he has carefully documented reports.

It's the data that was that were sent to >> One example in 1990, only 3% of the House bills that became law is some sort of fast track.

The new year.

>> That's not up to 37%.

In 2020.

In the Senate, just 2% of bills passed in 1990, east fans try to and 23% in 2024.

No laws without us about this isn't just a slogan.

It's a fundamental principle of democracy.

And school is ignored.

It's to Kentucky legislators.

>> In the legislative process, more transparent, making it work session and list of those that are directly affected by your decisions.

And to my fellow students don't let their staff to KET showing a key test of time and KET organized because this democracy doesn't just belong to those in office belongs to us.

>> State lawmakers also voted on more measures light today and will update you on those on Monday night's broadcast of Kentucky Edition.

♪ ♪ In Sports News, High School and college hoops are back in action heading into the weekend.

Kentucky is still banned, saying hoping to make it to the Elite 8 as a future.

Wildcat is making a name for himself in the high school arena.

Our Lauren Rogers checks in with the veteran sportscaster D*** Gabriel at the state tournament.

As we go inside tent hockey sports.

>> It is a big weekend for boys.

High school basketball.

Sweet 16 quarterfinals taking place today.

And there is a notable team that is not in play.

That is Saint You were just telling our Kelsey Stars a couple of weeks ago with strong team.

They are.

They've been top ranked all season.

So tell us more about that big upset Jefferson Town pulling that off.

>> I'm going to say not only do they lose, they lose from another team from Greater Louisville in J Town which used to be in the 7th region, moved into the 6 and had success.

They are coached by a gentleman who works at GE Appliance part works a 3rd ship over night and by day is a basketball coach and a pretty darn good one.

So, yeah, they take out the top team in now.

Probably the team to beat is a team that plays later tonight.

Great crossing, which Mr. Basketball Malachi Moreno on it and they had a huge crowd last night.

He played really well.

So but there have been a lot of great games this year.

We've all been talking about that only one or 2 blowouts.

All the rest of them have been really highly contested.

It's been a lot of fun.

>> It is.

It's so much fun to watch when those games are close.

Now, not really a close game last night.

Great crossing with that decisive victory.

Elbert Davis County.

Any big takeaways from that game and you consider them a new favorite to win this whole thing.

>> Now, I really do it because of Malachi.

Murray know the biggest reason.

But, you know, he was just quietly awesome.

You know, any a good stats, not great statute after the game, he said I'd rather talk about my teammates.

It's a team game.

And to that end, he had 5 assists last night to go along with all the points and all the rebounds.

But that's the way they play.

And I was talking to the guy sitting next to me.

It broadcast a game of got that one tonight on the radio.

But I said, you know, they don't look at him on offense very much.

He can go get it off the back board.

Of course.

But the other guys are capable of scoring as well.

He's got a teammate.

Mitch Dawson going the more it stated, the one prospect.

So it's not just him.

It's a really good guy payment.

Got to the semifinals last year.

Disappointed not to win it all.

So, yeah, I think they're the favorite.

>> And a lot of people are watching Malachi, of course, 7 voter, as you said, Kentucky, Mister Basketball.

What the areas that humbles there, it is all about his teammates as well.

But yeah, he has been I know a standout in the tournament in a future Wildcat is already signed to play with the Cats next season.

Yeah.

A lot of Kentucky fans are showing up just to see him play here.

Yeah.

And it was a little bit in doubt.

But I kind of had the inside track on it because my daughter teaches at his school.

She teaches special needs kids.

>> Malachi and some of his basketball team mates help her with the special needs.

Children are grateful for that.

And she has met so many recruiters, you know, through the last couple of years, she called me up and that the North Carolina coach of the Indiana coach one day she said I just met Mark Pope.

So I had a pretty good idea that Malachi was going to Kentucky.

>> Anneliese getting comfortable man playing there on the court at Rupp Arena throughout the tournament.

So let's talk more about the cat supports they take on Tennessee tonight, hoping to advance to the Elite 8.

They've already beaten Tennessee twice this season.

And I'll tell ya deck what my dad used to always say, which is hard.

It's hard to beat a team 3 times.

Do you echo that and what do you think our guys chances of advancing in the tournament?

>> Well, I use echo that fact, right up until the point earlier this week that a buddy of mine texted me empirical data information that said and I don't know the breadth and scope of this, but he but basically said teams that have won twice.

Have a 72.0.

6 1% chance of winning the 3rd time.

We'll see.

It's it's case-by-case, I know.

But here's what I do know.

Kentucky's plane defense better now than it did during the 2 wins over Tennessee and the first game, Tennessee helped by jacking of 45, 3 pointers.

Now the ball's didn't do that.

The second game of Kentucky still won.

But since that point, Kentucky is cracked up its defensive intensity and capabilities.

And I like Kentucky's defense against Tennessee's offense more than I like Tennessee's offense versus Kentucky Derby.

So I do like Kentucky's chances at all.

I would feel like I can if I talk too much about it.

>> But March Madness, anything can happen.

But one thing's for certain it's going to be a fun game to watch, right?

So let's talk women's college basketball news from Morehead State this week.

They have a new leader at the helm of that program.

Tell us more about her.

>> Ashton felt asked what a name that into the state and its coaches, her players said in Syria play.

But I gotta think she plays the way the Fed House family plays.

And that is head down nose to the grindstone hard work fundamentally sound there and play that way.

Kentucky's his father played that way.

Will he play that with the all the felt ounces?

They have different skill sets, but it all comes down to the same thing.

They work their tails off, have a feeling.

That's what we will see at more at stake.

And so on.

>> The Gabriel, thank you for breaking it all down for as we sure appreciate your time and have an excellent weekend.

We know you have a lot of fun games to watch.

>> Thanks so much.

>> As always, you have an eclectic list of weekend options from daffodils to oust when you're not watching basketball.

That is our Toby gives has more.

And this look at what's going on around the Commonwealth.

♪ >> Starting tomorrow at the Louisville Zoo is the safari adventure.

When you visit the zoo through April 20th, you can also challenge yourself with a scavenger hunt special challenges and trivia.

Compete for prizes are just have fun and eggs.

in a new way.

But you'll have a food at this next event.

The McCracken County Public Library is hosting discovered the world of owls on Thursday.

The live birds and learn how to identify the sights and sounds of owls in your neighborhood.

This weekend is the mountain mystical market in Morehead.

Check out the photography, psychic readings, handcrafted products and more.

This roaming metaphysical market is bringing some magic to the mountains starting tomorrow.

And taking it those the U.S. won't want to miss the 58th annual Bardstown and take show starting next Friday.

Unique goods from all over the country will be for sale, including part jewelry, furniture and more shot from over 50 antique dealers at this great event.

Historic downtown.

Bellevue comes to life every first Friday of the month and April's of and is just around the corner.

Shops and restaurants will be open later than usual for a special sip and stroll leaning check out the local spots and start your weekend in Bellevue.

Fireside Tales are on tap and downtown Somerset this weekend stopped by tap on main this Sunday to hear live story tellers whisking away with urban legends, personal stories and tales of adventure.

Grab a drink and enjoy a night of community storytelling.

We're in the middle of daffodil days at Middle Springs farm in Paris.

Scavenge for Easter eggs.

Take pictures in the giant Easter basket and of course, pick a lot.

So definitely this is the perfect spring event for the whole family.

Don't miss out.

And that's what's happening around the commonwealth.

I'm told to get yours.

>> Thank you as always.

To begins on Monday, we'll take a trip north.

We'll check out Maysville as part of our continuing series.

We Call Mondays on May.

That takes you to the great cities and towns and counties all the ground around our great commonwealth.

So what's happening in Mason County?

We'll find out Monday night on Kentucky edition and make sure you tune in Monday night at 8 o'clock Eastern because we will have a roundup of the legislative session this time around with legislative leaders and others who will be joining us to talk about what happened this session and stick around tonight, though, on comment on Kentucky.

Join Bill Bryant and a panel of working journalist as they review the final days of the 2025.

Kentucky General Assembly session, including the veto overrides.

Plus the change in leadership at the University of Louisville.

That and more tonight with Bill Bryant at 8 Eastern 7 central right here on KET.

We thank you so much for joining us tonight.

We'll see you Monday night.

You can always connect with us on the ways you see on your screen, Facebook, Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter sign up for email newsletters to see what's going on at KTNV.

Look for Kentucky.

Addition on the PBS video app.

>> On your mobile device and smart TV and send us a story idea to public affairs at KET Dot Org.

Thanks very much for watching.

Have a great weekend and I'll see you Monday night.

Take good care.

♪